A de novoFLCN mutation in a patient with spontaneous pneumothorax and renal cancer; a clinical and molecular evaluation

• Published in: Familial cancer 2013-07, Vol.12 (3), p.373-379
• Main Authors: Menko, Fred H., Johannesma, Paul C., van Moorselaar, R. Jeroen A., Reinhard, Rinze, van Waesberghe, Jan Hein, Thunnissen, Erik, Houweling, Arjan C., Leter, Edward M., Waisfisz, Quinten, van Doorn, Martijn B., Starink, Theo M., Postmus, Pieter E., Coull, Barry J., van Steensel, Maurice A. M., Gille, Johan J. P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Cancer Research; Epidemiology; Human Genetics; Original Article
• ISSN: 1389-9600; 1573-7292
• DOI: 10.1007/s10689-012-9593-8

Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome (BHD) is an autosomal dominant condition due to germline FLCN (folliculin) mutations, characterized by skin fibrofolliculomas, lung cysts, pneumothorax and renal cancer. We identified a de novo FLCN mutation, c.499C>T (p.Gln167X), in a patient who presented with spontaneous pneumothorax. Subsequently, typical skin features and asymptomatic renal cancer were diagnosed. Probably, de novo FLCN mutations are rare. However, they may be under-diagnosed if BHD is not considered in sporadic patients who present with one or more of the syndromic features. Genetic and immunohistochemical analysis of the renal tumour indicated features compatible with a tumour suppressor role of FLCN. The finding that mutant FLCN was expressed in the tumour might indicate residual functionality of mutant FLCN, a notion which will be explored in future studies.